Permanent Residence Visa

• You first need to apply for a Permanent Residence Visa. Once granted, a Permanent Residence Visa is valid indefinitely, until you leave the country. If you wish to leave the country and return, a Returning Resident stamp in your passport will be required.
  
  

Visa Categories

• The four main categories allowing a person to qualify for a Permanent Residence Visa are skilled migrant, work visa, investor and family. Each category has different requirements.
  
  

Physical Exam

• An applicant must pass a physical exam and get a chest X-ray. The immigration department will give you a list of examining doctors. If you have a chronic illness, it may prevent you from immigrating.
  
  

Character References

• Applicants must meet specific character requirements. A prison term of five or more years disqualifies an applicant, as does a prison term of 12 or more months in the previous 12 months. An applicant is required to provide a police certificate from his home country, testifying to his good character.
  
  

Citizenship

• Applicants for citizenship must live in New Zealand legally for five years before applying for citizenship and a passport. New Zealand allows holding of citizenship from multiple countries.